workingNOMAD

It is a year on since I first came to this forum looking for advice on publishing a book about my passion, working and travelling.

I now have a query letter and a chapter outline ready to send off but I am unsure whether to approach publishers direct or pay for an agent?

Should I send a query via email or in the post?

I have identified publishers who are involved in the subject but have n't got a clue how to approach them!

I am reasonably confident I can get published because I have already sold over 500 copies of an e-book on the subject (although it is much shorter version) and have identified a market. I also have a successful website on the subject, recently featured on CNN Money and with a growing community.

Thanks for your help.

mammamaia

...you don't 'pay for' an agent... they only get paid after they sell your work, by taking their commission from the proceeds... and it's best if you can get an agent, since they will do the work of finding you a publisher and can usually get you a better deal than you can do on your own... more than making up for their commission...

...not your choice, since you have to send it however the agent or publisher wants it... some are now taking them by email and some still insist on snail mail... you have to check the submission guidelines of each one you intend to query, to make sure you're following their rules 'n regs...

...with a well-written query letter [and proposal, if it's a non-fiction book] and a book that is well-written and marketable...

...it always helps in selling a non-fiction work, if you can show you will actively promote the book and have a following that can do the same...

...but just the idea isn't enough to do the trick... you also have to prove you can write well enough for the book to sell, so you'll have to have 2-3 chapters in perfect shape, to send along with the proposal and with the query, if acceptable [or when requested, if the query piques their interest]... if you want some basic info on how to prepare a proposal, drop me a line and i'll forward it to you...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com

"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

workingNOMAD

Thanks for the advice.

I would have thought that publishers are more concerned about the marketable side of a book e.g. will it sell, is it a good idea, will it make money etc than whether the writing is top notch?

See that's where I fall down a little. I do not consider myself a very good writer!

I base this theory on the fact that there is no doubt 1000s of excellent writers out there who are no good on the marketing side or who have no idea whether there is a market for their book and therefore never get published.

Thoughts?

MSWordUp

"See that's where I fall down a little. I do not consider myself a very good writer!

I base this theory on the fact that there is no doubt 1000s of excellent writers out there who are no good on the marketing side or who have no idea whether there is a market for their book and therefore never get published."

That's very wrong. But you tried. That's what counts.

lin

I would say that you are in excellent shape for this and have done a preparation job light years ahead of most new writers.

The fact that you have 500 ebooks sold (a remarkable figure) and presumably that mailing list, and website is powerful bait.

Being a very good writer is not really necessary if you have a book that people want to read. Karl Franz is far from a literary genius, but "People's Guide To Mexico" is a monster among travel books even though it's only one country.

I think what's happening here is that you have got your shit pretty much together and are having cold feet about taking the plunge. If you think that's so, try two agents or publishers first, see how it goes.

By the way a book like this might very well be best put straight to publishers, especially if you're looking at very specialized houses like Lonely Planet or something.

To correct one piece of previous disinformation: non-fiction is generally handled by a proposal. Having a first chapter ready is plenty of support for that at the query stage...3 chaps is for fiction.

One thing you might to if you crave more security, would be to make sure your query and proposal are tight. You might try posting the query on websites that concentrate on then, and searching the web for good tutorial/samples of proposals.

Good luck

workingNOMAD

Thank you very much for your response. It has given me the confidence to really move forward with the project and if I have any success I'll be back to post any information or insight that might help others.

I only read today in the news that getting published is 90% marketing and 10% writing in the non-fiction / travel arena.

Mike C

Lin's advice is spot on, although I'd also echo what Maia said - NEVER pay for an agent. A reputable agent will take his cut from what you earn after he's sold your book.

On writing: You don't have to be a literary genius; with non-fiction clarity and accessability are key. If you can transmit some of your own passion for the subject, you're 75% of the way there. You should, however, edit and proof-read (and if you're not confident, get someone else to read it through) thoroughly to give yourself the greatest chance of success. This also, of course, applies to your query.

Good luck.

__________________
My writing
My Photo Blog
Web design for Writers
The Oddville Press

BWE

get an agent if you can. my 2c